The Cayuga football team is 3-1.
The Wildcats are averaging almost 38 points per game and giving up less than 18.
But, according to CHS coach Greg Jenkins, the true test of how far his team — and his program — have come this year comes Friday, when the Wildcats travel to Carlisle to face the 16th-ranked Indians.
“It’s a game that will kind of define us for the first five games,” Jenkins said. “It’s not going to make or break our season by any means, but it’ll tell us what we are. You could tell Monday when we came in, (the players) had a little extra spark in our eyes.”
The Wildcats only loss this season came at the hands of Mount Enterprise, at a time when Jenkins said his team was still trying to find itself on the field.
Mount Enterprise scored 34 points on Cayuga, but only eight of those came in the second half. Mount Enterprise gained 375 yards of total offense, but only 90 in the second half.
In fact, since the second half of that game began — 10 quarters of play — Cayuga has given up only 13 points.
“We felt like, going over to Mount Enterprise, we really didn’t know who we were that game,” Jenkins said. “Since then we’ve played 10 halves and only turned the ball over one time. We think we’ve grown up a lot, especially defensively.”
He credits a lot of that growing up to some changes made on the defensive side of the ball, including the addition of middle linebacker Aaron Foxworth. Jenkins said his staff is “very excited” about Foxworth’s play.
The Wildcat defense will be tested against the Indians, who can both spread it out and pass as well as bunch it up and run.
The Indians are averaging more than 50 points per game offensively, led by the play of quarterback Gunner Baker. The senior signal-caller has accounted for almost 800 yards of total offense on the year, and 13 total touchdowns.
“He’s got it. You hear coaches use that word, and you can tell he’s got the moxie,” Jenkins said. “He’s always going to put them in a position to succeed.”
But, he’s far from alone.
The Indians have five other players not named Baker that can move the ball on the ground, a trait that has the Indians averaging 336 rushing yards per game so far this season.
“We’re going to have to get our kids in position to defend both (the spread and tight formations),” Jenkins said. “They’ll run some offense, this week, that we’re not used to seeing. It’s tough to defend because sometimes you don’t know where the ball is.”
With such a versatile offense, Jenkins compared it to playing “two different teams” in the same game.
But, the Cayuga offense isn’t one to scoff at, either.
Behind the play of break-out star Chandler Rigdon, the Wildcats are moving the ball with all cylinders right now.
Rigdon has accounted for almost 1,200 yards of total offense on his own this year (780 passing/371 rushing) and 14 touchdowns.
The best news for the Wildcats, however, is the play of the guy right behind Rigdon — running back D’onte Jackson.
The senior has run for more than 140 yards the past two games, and is averaging more than 120 yards per game this season.
“I think D’onte would be the first to tell you that credit goes to the offensive line for his success,” Jenkins said. “But, he’s a different back this year. He’s hitting the hole and heading for the goal post.”
Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Carlisle’s Arrowhead Stadium (8960 FM 13, Price, Texas 75687).
————
Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com
Local Sports
H.S. Football: Cayuga set for toughest test of 2012 season
- Local Sports
-
-
H.S. Athletics: Holden named new Cayuga ISD athletic director
It took just over a month for Cayuga ISD to find their new athletic director.
In a school board meeting Monday, the Cayuga school board hired current CHS assistant coach Russell Holden as its new athletic director and head football coach.
Holden, who has been on the staff at Cayuga for five years, will replace Greg Jenkins, who after three years at the helm is leaving for Tenaha. -
Middle School Athletics: Palestine selects March, April 'Character Athletes'
The Palestine Junior High girls athletic program released their Character Athletes of the Month for both March and April recently.
Eighth graders Annalise Meyers (March) and Josie Soehnge (April), and seventh graders Madison Oliva (March) and Ashley Middleton were honored with the awards, which go to student athletes that lead not only on the field or court, but also in the classroom. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland scores early and often in semifinal clincher
Just like in game one, the Grapeland Sandiettes jumped out to a big lead during Saturday's decisive Game 3 against the Joaquin.
The only difference is this time the Sandiettes never let off the gas on their way to a dominant 12-2 win over the Lady Rams in the do-or-die regional semifinal game.
With the win, Grapeland moves on to its third regional final in four years, where they will take on Beckville. It’s the third-straight year the teams will meet in the postseason. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart eases past Warren in Game 2
After needing three games to end its first two playoff series this postseason, the Elkhart baseball team made sure it didn’t happen a third time.
The Elks — who are seeking a second-straight trip to the state tournament — rolled past Warren Saturday, 6-0, at Lufkin’s Morris Franks Park. The win came a night after Elkhart topped the Warriors, 5-1, to open the series on Friday. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland, Joaquin split games Friday
It was a tale of two games during Friday's Regional Semifinal between the Grapeland Sandiettes and Joaquin Lady Rams. The Sandiettes and Lady Rams combined for 22 runs in the Sandiettes 12-10 win in Game 1.
Game 2 was a much different as the teams wouldn't combine for 20 hits, or even 10 runs as the Lady Rams picked up a 4-2 win.
-
H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens leads strong class of area recruits
Palestine junior Jarrell Owens hasn’t ever played a significant down in a game for the Wildcats at linebacker in his football career.
Yet, the position is obviously where his future lies.
Owens is one of a handful of area juniors drawing significant college interest, and the Palestine running back/linebacker already holds an official offer from Texas Tech University. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Harleton shuts down Cayuga in regional quarterfinal
In an as-expected pitcher’s duel, it took only one off inning to cost Cayuga and ace Chantz Holland.
Holland gave up four hits and hit a batter in the top of the third inning, and Harleton turned that into four runs — the only runs of the game — as Harleton topped Cayuga, 4-0, here at the Lindale ISD Baseball and Softball Complex in regional quarterfinal action. -
H.S. Baseball: Patchwork lineup still working for Cayuga
The Cayuga baseball team that will take the field tonight against Harleton in the regional quarterfinals doesn’t look a lot like the Cayuga team that rolled through district play earlier this season.
Injuries have hampered the look of the Wildcat lineup, but Cayuga still finds itself into the playoffs’ third round for yet another season. -
H.S. Softball: Grapeland going strong into regional semifinals
It’s been relatively easy-going so far in the state softball playoffs for the Grapeland softball team.
The Sandiettes have lost only once so far in the playoffs, and that came thanks a forfeit in the area round against Avery, when Grapeland decided not to play rather than play without missing members at the state golf tournament. -
Local Roundup: Cayuga's Hughes named 19-A MVP
After a stellar regular season that saw them capture a district title, then a solid playoff run that ended with a regional quarterfinal loss to Grapeland, the Cayuga softball team showed well on the District 19-A all-district teams.
Cayuga star freshman pitcher Kimberly Hughes capped her stellar year by earning the district’s Most Valuable Player award. Joining Hughes in earning superlative honors was her battery-mate Maci Poland, who was named the league’s Defensive MVP. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
H.S. Athletics: Holden named new Cayuga ISD athletic director
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
